Hi,

I got a V70 in good condition from a private seller about two weeks ago and just a few days ago began to see oil underneath and heard a yelling from the power steering pump. Thinking it was burst line of some sort I stopped in a muffler shop to get it replaced and they informed me that my rack and pinion has blown a seal and needs to be replaced for 500 in parts and an additional 500 in labor. I've found the part online for around 250 already but cant really do this myself so I'm kind of stuck on that end. I don't know very much about power steering though and before I go further wanted to ask for some info on just how necessary it is.

I asked in the garage what would happen if I decided I didn't need power steering and just went on without the repair. The attendant told me my pump would seize tear of the serpentine belt my timing would be destroyed and I'd fall into general disarray but that sounded a little dramatic. Is there anyway to remove the power steering and safely continue to use the rack and pinion I have with the blown seal? I'm wondering if the pump can be disengaged or possibly removed entirely and a smaller belt can be put on? Also does the rack and pinion use the power steering fluid as lubrication and would it be dangerous if it was driven with the blown seal without power steering?

Sorry for the lengthy post. Any insight and ideas would be appreciated. The car has 240,000 on it and I'm confident it can go for more but am feeling a bit hesistant about jumping right into a repair that costs nearly 3 times what I paid for it. Thanks, Ryan.